Five Of My Favorite (And Yours Too) Gadgets of 2020 That I Showed On WNN.

Here's the spot from air:
https://abcnews.go.com/WNN/video/top-gadgets-2020-74931778

There were a lot of emails from folks who bought and loved these!

People like flashlights! Especially inexpensive ones.  In the past week I bought a dozen mini-flashlights from 3 different places. They all look alike on the web, but are they all the same? After I bought all 3 of them see if they are all the same flashlight. Strangely, they look similar, but they're all slightly different. One has a bigger LED task light, one doesn't have a strobe (which I never use anyway) some arrive in a sturdy plastic case. Watch my video to see the variations. For the lowest price you have to buy 3, 4, or 6 of them, but I think anyone of them would make a great stocking stuffer, or mini-gift. 

Just 1 of the 3 versions of the mini-flashlight were still available as of 12/28/20, but I just bought another six of them! They were about $23 for 6 - or approximately $3.80 each on 12/28/20. That price can change at any time.

https://amzn.to/37R3X4c - 

As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

Ever Hear Of Camfecting? Hint: It concerns your webcam!

Camfecting is when a hacker takes control of your webcam with your knowledge or your permission. A webcam privacy cover can help stop that. Amazingly I read that hackers can not only get into your computer and turn on your webcam, but more advanced hackers can turn on your webcam without the “on” light illuminating! Here are two ways to prevent hacker from looking through your camera, even if they turn it on. For notebook, laptop, tablet, etc, where the camera is built into the lid, there's the webcam cover slide. It's thin, and didn't affect the lid from closing all the way on my Acer Chromebook. The Webcam Cover can be opened or closed with just one simple finger movement. The company6 says it can be easily applied and removed from the device without any traces. There are many choice over at Amazon, some as cheap as a dollar each when you buy six pack.  Check them out at this link:

 https://amzn.to/3oOPDPj  As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

If you have an stand alone webcam there's a pretty good chance it's from Logitech. They sell an amazing amount of webcams. Some of their newest models have a built-in covers. If not, you can buy easy add-on covers to help protecting your digital life and you're actual life by preventing hackers from watching you! Webcam covers provide privacy, security and peace of mind. The one I bought is model specific. The company says it's compatible with the Logitech C920, C922, C922x and C930e. It does not damage your device in any way. Actually it just sits on top of my Logitech C920 and I can cover and uncover my webcam at any time by flipping it open or closed it. Now the description says: “Does not interfere with webcam use or indicator light.” That's true when it's open. When it's closed you will not see if the indicator light is on or off. I paid $12.99 for mine and it works fine. Check around on Amazon because there are cheaper versions for various webcams.

Amazon link for stand-alone Logitech webcams: https://amzn.to/3aJqFNC 

A cheaper choice I haven't tried:   https://amzn.to/2KZjjuu  As an amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

UPDATE: If you have an Apple product a fan, Mo Torres, emailed this report about webcam covers:

https://nypost.com/2020/07/14/covering-up-your-camera-could-damage-your-laptop-apple/ 

Meet Two Really Versatile LED Goose Neck Clip Lamps.

This compact goose-neck clip lamp offers 3 Color Modes (3000K, 4500K & 6500K) plus 10 levels of brightness, so you can create 30 illumination modes. Be aware that the light itself is on the small side, about 1.5" across, but it puts out a nice amount of light. The company says the box contains a UL Certified Adapter, which is much safer than the other adapters. Besides the AC adapter, this clip light has a 4.8 feet USB cord which you can easy to plug into any available USB port. (You can use a external battery pack too. I tried it for a just about ten minutes and it worked fine.) The 360° flexible gooseneck (about 15" long) allows you to adjust your clip light to direct the light wherever you want. And it stays in place, unlike many lamps I've used where the head keeps creeping downward. The Clamp-on Lamp provides high CRI (90+) LED beads, brings you a clear and bright lighting effect while also restoring the color of an object. Priced at about $15 to $17 depending on the color you choose. Available in black & white. I already bought three of them.

Check the latest price:

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3prXGlt As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

Here's a bigger version of the LED clip lamp that I found and bought:

After I bought the LED clip lights Amazon emailed me with info about another gooseneck lamp I might like, the BOHON Clamp Lamp Reading Light. It sounded great, and of course I bought one right away. It has many of the exact same features as the previous lamp I talked about with Leo. Namely, 3 Lighting Modes & 10 Brightness Levels. You can select from 3 color temperatures: warm white light (3000K), natural light (4500K) and cool white light (6500K). Each lighting mode has 10 brightness dimming levels, for a total of 30 illumination modes. Clip on bedside, headboard, shelf, desk, etc. The 1st difference with this lamp is the clip is much bigger and can open to about 2” wide. (You can do the same with the other model, but the gooseneck is shorter, roughy 14” vs 18”. Both include an AC adapter and both can be plugged into a USB port on a computer, or according the description, into an external battery charger! The bigger one is brighter with a 3 1/4” vs 1 1/2” diameter globe. Both are LED, so no need to replace the bulb. (And you can't anyway.) I don't know how valuable it is, but the bigger one has 1 Minute Auto-off Timer. I guess if you want time to leave the room you hold the off switch for about 3 seconds and it will activate. (OMG, the little does that too.) The 1st lamp I bought doesn't seem to have this, but the larger model says: “Once you turn the button on, computer desk lights resumes your last used brightness and color temperature settings.” One final word. This lamp is much bigger, so it wouldn't be nearly as convenient as the smaller one if you plan on taking it on a trip, to school, to the office, etc. It's under $20 as of 12/14/20, but free shipping kicks in at $25.00.

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/38J0qUM As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

It May Be Cold Now Where You Live, But Keep This In Mind For When It Turns Hot Again!

It's not a swimming pool, but something the company calls a splash or sprinkler play mat. I purchased the QPAU Sprinkler Play Mat on Amazon. Kids love to play with water, especially during the hot weather, so this an easy way to let them do that. This 68" Splash Play Mat inflates and sprays water when connected to a garden hose. (No air pump needed.) It's designed to be placed on lawns so it's soft underneath for kid's play. The spray can be adjusted by the water pressure feeding the hose. It's great for hot weather fun for young kids age 3 to 5 (& up!). No where does the company mention how thick the PVC for the splash pad is, but online review mention, probably not rugged enough for dogs to play in. MSRP: $29.99, but it is usually selling for under $20 online.

Giz Wiz Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iOdrpNlRGU&feature=youtu.be

Check Latest Price on Amazon: https://amzn.to/38FZWPb - As an Amazon Associate Giz Wiz Biz earns from qualifying Amazon purchases. You pay no more.

An LED Bulb You Can Bounce Off The Floor Without Harming It.

First a word about the 1^stLED bulb I ever heard about. It was the GeoBulb, released on March 27, 2009 by ccrane. It was  the first 60-watt direct replacement that used less than 8 watts. BUT, the cost!! The GeoBulb LED light bulb was available from C. Crane for $119.95 for one, or for $113.95 each for orders of six or more. Okay, now comes the latest LED bulb I've seen, the Incredi-Bulb! It's the first bulb you can throw on the floor and watch it bounce! You can even crush the bulb part in your hand and watch it slowly pop back into shape. It feels like it's rubber but I'm not sure what it's made of. It's available in 40 & 60 watt equivalents. And the cost? About $5 & $6 each in the 2 packs, depending on the wattage. I found this at the 2020 Inspired Home Press Event in NYC. When I told the person at the Butterie booth, "The Butter Dish Reinvented" that I really was looking for more tech-like gadgets, she showed me this new light bulb and told me she had just secured the exclusive right to distribute it in the US. And now it is available on the company website. (I have no affiliation with this company.)

https://www.theincredibulb.com/collections/all